Have you ever wondered just how Al Qaeda vetted its new recruits prior to Osama bin Laden's death in 2011? Now, thanks to a set of documents released on Wednesday, you don't have to wonder any more.
Among the documents released — along with bin Laden's English-language bookshelf — is one called "Instructions to Applicants." The translated version of the form includes mundane questions like "any hobbies or pastimes?" and "science or literature"?
But it also asks less benign questions such as "Do you wish to execute a suicide operation?" and asking who the organization should contact in case the applicant ends up as a martyr.
The documents were released through the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and presented in their raw form, without context. Because of that, it's unclear just how these documents were distributed, if at all, when they were in circulation, or who reviewed them once received.